Heat exchanger

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided with first tank (101) and second tank (102). Heat transfer tubes (104) are disposed between the tanks and are connected to the tanks to place the tanks in fluid communication. Either of tanks (101,102) is divided into chambers by a partition. At least one reinforcing member (43,44,45,46,47) is disposed in either first tank (101) or second tank (102) for reinforcing the deformation of the tanks against an increase of the pressure within the tanks without connecting with the partition.

Description: This invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising the features according to the first part of claim 1. Such a heat exchange is shown in Figure 1 and is used, for example, as an evaporator or a condenser. In Figure 1, heat exchanger 10 comprises upper tank 101, lower tank 102 and heat exchanger core 103 disposed between upper tank 101 and lower tank 102. Heat exchanger core 103 comprises a plurality of heat transfer tubes 104 spaced from one another and disposed parallel to each another. Upper tank 101 comprises upper wall 101a and lower wall 101b which are joined together. Upper tank 101 is divided into three chambers, such as first chamber 180, second chamber 190 and third chamber 200 by partition plates 31 and 32. Lower tank 102 is divided into two chambers, such as first chamber 210 and second chamber 220 by partition plate 33. Lower wall 101b of upper tank 101 and upper wall 102a of lower tank 102 are respectively provided with a plurality of connection holes 101c and a plurality of connection holes 102c for interconnecting a plurality of heat transfer tube 104 therebetween. Inlet pipe 105 and outlet pipe 106 are connected to upper tank 101. In use, a heat exchange medium is introduced through inlet pipe 105 into first chamber 180 and down through heat transfer tubes 104 and reaches first chamber 210 of lower tank 102, and flows back to second chamber 190 of upper tank 101 through heat transfer tubes 104. Partition plate 31 includes a plurality of notch portions 31a formed with a predetermined pitch, width and depth. Partition plate 32 includes notch portion 32a formed in the center thereof. Further, upper tank 101 and lower tank 102 respectively include a plurality of reinforcing plates 41 therein. Each reinforcing plate 41 includes a notch portion 41a formed in the center thereof and a plurality of holes 41b therein. A number of holes 41b are formed with a predetermined pitch and diameter in the reinforcing plate 41 so that the heat exchange medium freely passes through the holes 41b. In temporary assembly of upper tank 101 and lower tank 102, partition plate 32 is connected with partition plate 31 at right angles to each other so that notch portion 32a of partition pate 32 forcibly inserts into center notch portion 31a of partition plate 31. Thereafter, a plurality of reinforcing plates 41 are temporarily connected with partition plate 31 at right angles to prevent the movement thereof during brazing with notch portion 41a of reinforcing plate 41 forcibly inserted into notch portion 31a of partition plate 31 as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. In final assembly, the temporarily assembled heat exchanger 10 is placed in a brazing furnace, such that all of the parts are simultaneously brazed together. Further, heat exchange medium flows from the second chamber 190 of upper tank 101, through heat transfer tubes 104, and reaches second chamber 220 of lower tank 102 and flows back to fourth lower chamber 200 through heat transfer tubes 104. When the heat exchange medium flows through heat transfer tubes 104, heat exchange between the heat exchange medium and air flow 17, passing over heat transfer tubes 104, is performed as shown in Figure 2. Generally, in the above arrangement, upper tank 101 and lower tank 102 are easily expanded outwardly by increasing the inner pressure of the heat exchanger because the surface of upper tank 101 and lower tank 102 are formed with a flat surface. A means of overcoming the above disadvantage is to make the upper wall and lower wall of the tanks formed with an evenness surface or constructing the upper and lower walls with thick plate members to increase the pressure strength of the tanks. However, this construction results in a working die which is complex and expensive or increases the net weight of the heat exchanger. In consideration of the above matter, the tanks are provided with at least one reinforcing plate member such as reinforcing plate 41 and reinforcing plate 41 is secured to the inner surface of the tanks by brazing to increase the pressure strength of the tanks. However, reinforcing plates 41 have to be tentatively secured to partition plate 31 to prevent the movement of reinforcing plates 41 before brazing in a brazing furnace. This process is complex and consumes process time. It is an object of the invention to provide a heat exchanger wherein the assembly is accomplished by a simple process. GB-A-2082312 discloses a heat exchanger including a first tank including an upper wall and a lower wall coupled with the upper wall, and a second tank including an upper wall and a lower wall coupled with the upper wall and spaced apart from the first tank, a plurality of heat transfer tubes disposed between the first tank and the second tank, each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes connected at one end to the first tank and at the other end to the second tank, a partition disposed within the first tank to divide the first tank into at least two chambers. According to the present invention, a heat exchanger according to the preamble to claim 1 is characterised in that the reinforcing means comprise a plurality of interconnected plate portions separate from the partition and form self supporting units. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in accordance with a prior art. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional heat exchanger, showing an example of a heat medium flow. Figures 3-4 are an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, of certain elements of the heat exchanger in accordance with the prior art. Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a tank shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a tank in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a reinforce member in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a tank in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a reinforce member in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a tank in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a perspective view of a reinforce member in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a tank in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Figure 17. Figure 19 is a perspective view of a reinforce member in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a tank in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view takenalong line 21-21 of Figure 20. Figures 7-21 depict a heat exchanger according to the present invention. Heat exchanger 10 is similar to that of a prior art of Figure 1 except for the construction of the reinforcing means. Therefore, similar parts are represented by the same reference numbers and detailed description of these parts is omitted. Figure 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. Reinforcing plate 43 includes four first plate portions 43a, three second plate portion 43b perpendicularly joined to first plate portions 43a and two flange portion 43c extending from first plate portions 43a. That is, four first plate portions 43a are formed parallel to each other at regular intervals. One second plate portion 43b joins one end of two first plate portions 43a. The other second plate portion 43b joins the opposite end of one first plate portion 43a to one end of the other first plate portion 43a. Reinforce plate 43 is formed as a zigzag line-by repeating the above construction. Reinforce plate 43 may includes a plurality of first plate portions 43a, second plate portions 43b and flange portion 43c. Further, first plate portions 43a includes a number of holes 43d formed with a predetermined number, pitch and diameter so that a heat exchange medium freely passes through. Further, holes 43d may be shaped as a circle, rectangle or triangle. Reinforcing plate 43 is made of metal, for example, an aluminium-Zinc (Al-Zn) alloy or copper. In temporary assembly of the tanks, a reinforcing plate 43 is placed in each chamber of upper tank 101 or lower tank 102 without connecting with partition plates 31 and 32 so that first plate portion 43a is arranged between the ends of heat transfer tubes 104 within the tank and to be parallel to partition plate 32 and second plate portion 43b parallel to partition portion 31. Upper end 43e and lower end 43f of reinforcing plate 43 are respectively contacted with inner surface 101c of upper wall 101a and inner surface 101d of lower wall 101b so as to be brazed to each other. In final assembly, reinforcing plate 43 is integrally secured to both upper wall 101a and lower wall 101b of upper tank 101 by melting a brazing material of the inner surface of the tank in a brazing furnace. Thereby, this improvement prevent upper tank 101 or lower tank 102 from being expanded outwardly against the inner pressure of the heat exchanger. As a result, the heat exchanger, which is provided with reinforcing means for reinforcing against an expansion of the tank, can be produced by a simple process in a temporary assembly. Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Reinforcing plate 44 includes three first plate portion 24a, four second plate portions 44b, perpendicular to the first plate portions 44a, and two flange portions 44c, extending perpendicular from second plate portion 44b. That is, each second plate portion 44b is formed to be one over the other by bending the plate member and have a plurality of holes 44d formed with a predetermined number, pitch and diameter. Reinforcing plate 44 is temporarily assembled in each chamber of upper tank 101 or lower tank 102 so that second plate portions 44b are arranged between each ends of heat transfer tubes 104 and parallel to partition plate 32. Reinforcing plate 44 may includes a plurality of first plate portion 44a, second plate portion 44b and flange portions 44c. Both of upper surface 44e and lower end 44f of reinforce plate 44 are respectively contacted with inner surface 101c of upper wall 101a and inner surface 101d of lower wall 101b so as to be brazed to each other. Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. Reinforcing plate 45 includes three first plate portions 45a and a plurality of second plate portion 45b formed to be shaped as a grid. Each first plate portion 45a is connected with a plurality of second plate portion 45b in several places at regular intervals to intersect the second plate portion 45b. Both first plate portion 45a and second plate portion 45b include a plurality of holes 45c formed with a predetermined number, pitch and diameter. The external form of reinforcing 45 is formed to be rectangular, similar to that of the chamber of the tank. Reinforcing plate 45 is temporarily assembled in each chamber of upper tank 101 and/or lower tank 102 so that both of first plate portion 45a and second plate portion 45b are arranged between the ends of heat transfer tubes 104 within the tank. Both the upper end 45e and lower end 45f of reinforcing plate 45 are respectively contacted with inner surfaces 101c of upper wall 101a and inner surface 101d of lower wall 101b so as to be brazed to each other. Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. Reinforcing plate 46 includes four plate portions 46a joined to each other and has a diamond shape. Plate portion 46 includes a plurality of holes 46b formed with a predetermined number, pitch and diameter. A plurality of reinforcing plates 46 are temporarily placed in each chamber of upper tank 101 or lower tank 102 at regular intervals so that the plate portions 46a are arranged between the ends of heat transfer tubes 104. Both of upper end 46e and lower end 46f of reinforcing plate 46 are respectively contacted with inner surface 101c of upper wall 101a and inner surface 101d of lower wall 101b so as to be brazed to each other. Figures 19, 20 and 21 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. Reinforcing plate 47 includes three plate portion 47a joined to each other and has a triangle shape. Plate portion 47 includes a plurality of holes 47b formed with a predetermined number, pitch and diameter. A plurality of reinforcing plates 47 are temporarily placed in each chamber of upper tank 101 and/or lower tank 102 at regular intervals so that plate portions 47a are arranged between the ends of heat transfer tubes 104. Both of upper end 47e and lower end 47f of reinforcing plate 47 are respectively contact with inner surface 101c of upper wall 101a and inner surface 101d of lower wall 101b so as to be brazed each other. Further, both the function and effect of these later embodiments are almost the same as that of the first embodiment so that explanation thereof is omitted.

Claims: A heat exchanger including a first tank (101) including an upper wall (101a) and a lower wall (101b) coupled with the upper wall (101a), and a second tank (102) including an upper wall (102a) and a lower wall (102b) coupled with the upper wall (102a) and spaced apart from the first tank (101), a plurality of heat transfer tubes (104) disposed between the first tank (101) and the second tank (102), each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes (104) connected at one end to the first tank (101) and at the other end to the second tank (102), a partition (31,32) disposed within the first tank to divide the first tank (101) into at least two chambers, reinforcing means (43,44,45,46,47) disposed in the first tank, for reinforcing against deformation of the tank caused by an increase of pressure within the tank and securely joining the upper wall (101a,102a) to the lower wall (101b,102b) of the first tank (101), the reinforcing means comprising plate portions being formed with a plurality of openings (43d,44d,45c,46b,47b) through which the heat transfer medium flows characterised in that the reinforcing means comprise a plurality of interconnected plate portions (43,44,45,46,47) separate from the partition and form self supporting units. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of first plate portions (43a) including a plurality of openings (43d), a plurality of second plate portions (43b) perpendicularly joined to the first plate portions (43a) and a flange portion (43c) extending from the first plate portion (43a). A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of first plate portions (44a), a plurality of second plate portions (44b) including a plurality of openings (44d) which are perpendicularly joined to the first plate portions (44a) and are formed to be one over the other by bending, and a flange portion (44c) extending from the first plate portion. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of first plate portions (45a) including a plurality of openings (45c), a plurality of second plate portions (45b) including a plurality of openings (45c) therein, which are intersectly connected with the first plate portions (45a). A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein there are four plate portions (46a) joined to each other in a diamond shape and including a plurality of openings (46b) therein. A heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein there are three plate portions (47a) joined to each other in a triangle shape and including a plurality of openings (47b) therein. A heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises said reinforcing means (43,44,45,46,47) also in the second tank.

Inventors: CHIBA TOMOHIRO, JUN IWAI, OIKAWA REI, SASAKI KENICHI, CHIBA, TOMOHIRO, JUN, IWAI, OIKAWA, REI, SASAKI, KENICHI, CHIBA, TOMOHIRO, C/O SANDEN CORPORATION, JUN, IWAI, C/O SANDEN CORPORATION, OIKAWA, REI, C/O SANDEN CORPORATION, SASAKI, KENICHI, C/O SANDEN CORPORATION
Applicants: SANDEN CORP, SANDEN CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F28F9
IPC codes: F28F9, F28F27